MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said today he was “absolutely delighted” that a push to retain an electorate office of the local state MP in Moree had been successful.
Late last Friday afternoon Mr Marshall was notified that the state’s Parliamentary Remuneration Tribunal had agreed with a submission that the Northern Tablelands be granted a second electorate office, in light of the changes to the boundaries at the recent state election, increasing the size of the electorate to incorporate Moree Plains Shire local government area.
Covering an area of around 54,000 square kilometres, Northern Tablelands is the third largest electorate in state, behind Barwon and Murray
Mr Marshall said he intended locating the second office in Moree, at the location Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries currently occupies.
“Kevin’s office has to be relocated to Narrabri to reflect the new Barwon electorate boundaries electorate and Moree was staring down the barrel of being left with no permanent presence from their local state MP,” Mr Marshall said.
“Following the election and the large increase in the size of the electorate I went in to bat and asked for consideration to be given to allowing an additional office for Moree.
“I’m really pleased this request has been granted.”
Mr Marshall said he felt it was very important for an office to be located in Moree.
“Moree is a regional centre and an important agricultural hub with issues that differ greatly from those in the east of the electorate” he said.
“Our federal MP Mark Coulton has an office in Moree and I think it’s also important to have opportunities for the community to have direct access to their state MP’s office and staff during times when I am in other parts of the electorate or in Parliament in Sydney.”
Over the coming months Mr Marshall said he would be recruiting staff for the office, which will be open to the public Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. He hoped the new office would be up and running before Christmas, pending Mr Humphries’ office move to Narrabri.
“I am delighted with this outcome – which ensures the Moree district does not lose out and continues to have its voice and concerns heard loud and clear and its issues serviced by their state MP and staff in a local office every day,” Mr Marshall said.